Ever wondered if a new choice value can cause issues? Validate using below approach for sanity check

[Harneet Sital]

Recently I came across a scenario where the developer asked, what all should I check before adding a new choice to a field and it made me think of all dependencies that could be there on this field and its choices. I did some digging and found the following elements which may be affected with adding a new choice -

1. Validate all scripts  

Confirm all scripts that contain the name of the dictionary field you are attempting to add a choice to. You can check the scripts that may be affected by using the below UI page by entering the field name and looking at all dependencies. This gives you an intensive list of all the scripts in the platform having the term in the configs. 

https://YOURINSTANCE.service-now.com/ui_page.do?sys_id=8bc77fb2d7120200b6bddb0c825203ac

Note : Some results may not be relevant but this helps to make sure all the checks are done. Make sure to click SEARCH ALL APPLICATIONS while doing the search so it looks across all app scopes. 

2. Catalog Variable Mapping Dependencies

Validate the choices available on catalog variables which may map back to the field. 

Example for reference : 

https://YOURINSTANCEservice-now.com/question_choice_list.do?sysparm_query=question.question_textLIKE...

3. Transform Map Field Dependencies

Validate there are no dependencies on transform map field mappings, if required update the relevant mapping. 

E.g.

https://yourinstance.service-now.com/sys_transform_entry_list.do?sysparm_query=target_fieldSTARTSWIT...

4. Choice translations if available in other languages

Validate if the choices are available in other languages, if so create the choices in the available languages. Unless you have dynamic translation/AI capabilities enabled in the platform which will take care of translations automatically.

5. Dependency on integrations 

This is very subjective and may need further analysis based on the field. But its safe to do those validations. 

Best practices while creating choice lists - https://support.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0538947